Danny Shelton Moved On from Defensive Line by the Kansas City Chiefs

In a roster move aimed at refining their defensive line depth ahead of the playoffs, the Kansas City Chiefs announced on Monday that they have released veteran defensive tackle Danny Shelton. The decision comes as the Chiefs look to prioritize younger, more versatile players on the interior of their defense—specifically those who can contribute to both run stopping and pass rushing, rather than focusing solely on clogging running lanes. Shelton, a 30-year-old nose tackle, had spent the 2025 season as a rotational player for Kansas City, appearing in 12 games and recording 18 tackles and no sacks. While he provided value as a run-stuffing specialist, his limited ability to generate pressure on quarterbacks made him expendable as the Chiefs shift their defensive strategy to counter pass-heavy playoff offenses. Danny Shelton Moved On from Defensive Line by the Kansas City Chiefs is a story of roster evolution, as a contender makes calculated choices to align its personnel with its postseason goals.

Shelton’s tenure with the Chiefs began in 2024, when he signed a one-year contract to address a gap in the team’s run defense. At 6-foot-2 and 345 pounds, he was brought in to occupy multiple blockers in short-yardage situations—a role he excelled at early on. In his first season with Kansas City, he recorded 32 tackles and helped the Chiefs rank 10th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game (112.3). However, his production declined in 2025: he saw his snap count drop from 42% to 28%, as opposing teams increasingly used spread offenses to limit the impact of traditional nose tackles. Shelton also struggled with durability, missing two games in October with a knee injury and playing through nagging ankle soreness in November, which sapped his ability to push off the line of scrimmage. His lack of pass-rushing production became a bigger issue as the season progressed: among all Chiefs defensive tackles with at least 100 snaps, Shelton ranked last in pressure rate (2.1%), well below teammates Chris Jones (18.3%) and Tershawn Wharton (8.7%). For the Chiefs, who face pass-heavy playoff teams like the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens, keeping a player with minimal pass-rushing value became a luxury they could no longer afford. Danny Shelton Moved On from Defensive Line by the Kansas City Chiefs reflects the harsh reality of NFL roster management: even effective role players can be replaced when their skill set no longer aligns with a team’s evolving needs.

The primary driver behind Shelton’s release is the Kansas City Chiefs’ growing depth at defensive tackle—specifically the emergence of younger players who offer more versatility. Rookie fourth-round pick Malcolm Roach, a 6-foot-3, 305-pound tackle out of LSU, has quickly become a favorite of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, thanks to his ability to play both nose tackle and three-technique. Roach has recorded 25 tackles and 3 sacks in 2025, and his pressure rate (7.4%) is more than three times higher than Shelton’s. Additionally, second-year player Keondre Coburn has stepped up in recent weeks, filling in for an injured Wharton and recording 12 tackles and a sack in his last three games. With Roach and Coburn proving capable of handling run-stopping duties while also contributing to the pass rush, Shelton’s specialized role became redundant. The Chiefs also have Jones—one of the NFL’s best interior pass rushers—locked in as a starter, meaning the rotational spots need to complement his skill set rather than duplicate it. By releasing Shelton, the Chiefs free up a roster spot to address a more pressing need—likely adding a depth cornerback or safety to bolster their secondary, which has dealt with injuries to Trent McDuffie and L’Jarius Sneed. Danny Shelton Moved On from Defensive Line by the Kansas City Chiefs is a strategic choice to prioritize versatility over specialization, as the team prepares for the varied challenges of the playoffs.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive strategy under Spagnuolo also played a key role in Shelton’s release, as the coordinator has shifted toward a more aggressive, pass-rushing-focused scheme in recent weeks. Spagnuolo’s defense now uses more four-man fronts and fewer base 3-4 looks, which reduces the need for a traditional nose tackle like Shelton. Instead, the Kansas City Chiefs are prioritizing defensive tackles who can line up in multiple spots and collapse the pocket from the interior—skills that Roach and Coburn possess but Shelton does not. This shift was evident in the Chiefs’ Week 16 loss to the Denver Broncos, where Spagnuolo used Roach and Coburn in 70% of defensive snaps, while Shelton played just 12 snaps and was on the field for two of Denver’s three rushing touchdowns. The game highlighted a critical flaw in relying on Shelton: against teams that use zone-blocking schemes to pull linemen and create running lanes, his lack of mobility makes it hard for him to pursue plays outside the tackle box. The Kansas City Chiefs’ coaching staff recognized that this weakness would be exploited by playoff teams with strong rushing attacks, like the Baltimore Ravens (who rank 2nd in rushing yards per game) or the San Francisco 49ers (ranked 5th). By releasing Shelton, the Chiefs are ensuring their defensive line is better equipped to handle the diverse rushing and passing threats they’ll face in the postseason. Danny Shelton Moved On from Defensive Line by the Kansas City Chiefs is a alignment of personnel with strategy, as the team tailors its roster to Spagnuolo’s evolving game plan.

For the Kansas City Chiefs, Shelton’s release also provides financial flexibility—both for the remainder of the 2025 season and beyond. Shelton was in the final year of a two-year, \(8 million contract, and releasing him saves the Chiefs approximately \)1.2 million in salary cap space. While that may seem like a small amount, it allows the team to sign a veteran depth player (like a cornerback or offensive lineman) to a short-term contract, or to allocate funds toward postseason bonuses for key players. The Kansas City Chiefs have a history of using midseason cap space wisely: last year, they used savings from a similar roster move to sign wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who went on to catch a critical touchdown in the AFC Championship Game. Additionally, releasing Shelton opens up a spot on the 53-man roster for a practice squad player—likely a younger defensive tackle or defensive back—who can provide fresh legs during the physically demanding playoff stretch. This move also sends a message to the team’s younger players: performance and versatility will be rewarded with playing time, regardless of tenure. For Roach and Coburn, Shelton’s release means more snaps and an opportunity to prove themselves in high-pressure situations—a win-win for both the players and the Kansas City Chiefs. Danny Shelton Moved On from Defensive Line by the Kansas City Chiefs is a financial and developmental win, as the team optimizes its resources for both the short and long term.

Looking ahead, the Kansas City Chiefs will likely use the roster spot opened by Shelton’s release to sign a defensive back, as their secondary depth has been tested by injuries to McDuffie (shoulder) and Sneed (hamstring). Possible targets include former Chiefs cornerback Charvarius Ward, who was recently released by the San Francisco 49ers, or veteran safety Duron Harmon, who has experience playing in Spagnuolo’s defense. For Shelton, the future is uncertain but full of opportunity: there are still several teams in need of a run-stopping nose tackle, including the Cleveland Browns (who drafted Shelton in the first round in 2015) and the Minnesota Vikings (who rank 28th in rushing yards allowed). His experience in big games—he’s played in two Super Bowls with the Chiefs—will make him an attractive option for playoff-contending teams looking to shore up their run defense. Regardless of where he goes next, Shelton leaves Kansas City with respect: Chiefs head coach Andy Reid praised him as “a true professional” who “gave everything he had for this team” during his two seasons with the franchise. The Kansas City Chiefs’ decision to move on from Shelton is a reminder that in the NFL, roster decisions are rarely personal—they’re about putting the team in the best position to win. Danny Shelton Moved On from Defensive Line by the Kansas City Chiefs is a small but important step in the Chiefs’ quest for another Super Bowl trophy, as they continue to refine their roster to meet the demands of the postseason.